Chapter Twelve

In the morning, Sonya resolves to stay at Poole Manor despite the previous night’s disturbances. A message—“7 lost”—appears on her steamed bathroom mirror, unsettling her but strengthening her resolve. She works on Anna’s website until noon, awaiting her friend Cleo’s arrival as snow threatens.

Cleo arrives awed by the house and its history, especially Astrid’s portrait. Sonya tours her through lit rooms and assigns Cleo the Bluebird suite, which Cleo happily claims. Over wine, Sonya admits the house may be haunted, recounting opened doors, reset fireplaces, turned-down beds, music from her tablet, and a fake blizzard pounding at the door. Cleo accepts the haunting without fear and agrees to move in within weeks, thrilling Sonya.

That night, both are tucked in by unseen hands and fires are mysteriously lit. At 3 a.m., piano music drifts upstairs. Cleo wakes Sonya; they investigate, glimpse flickering light, hear a human sigh, then find the music room empty but taper wax still soft. Cleo senses the pianist is a sad female presence and wonders if it could be Astrid; the tune feels familiar but unplaced.

By morning, optimism returns. Sonya makes coffee, continues tests on Anna’s redesigned site, and notes the tablet randomly playing “Come Saturday Morning.” Cleo dresses for the afternoon arrival of helpers and reviews the site approvingly. They plan a bougie brunch in the dining room, discuss moving select furniture for Cleo’s turret studio and Sonya’s workspace, and agree on shared living terms: Cleo contributes groceries and most dinners while Sonya provides the home.